You are here

Area musicians band together in effort to help local youngster

PUNXSUTAWNEY — So many turn to music to help lift their spirits when they’re having a rough day. So, when a student from the Punxsutawney Area Middle School, Colin Wineberg, fell ill, several local musicians decided to put their talents to use raising money to help Wineberg’s cause.

Event organizer Mike Krach, a music teacher in the Punxsutawney Area School District, said Colin is a 7th-grade student in the district who is in need of a kidney transplant. When Wineberg fell ill this past summer rather suddenly, Krach said a chronic kidney disease was discovered.

Krach said the response to plan a benefit was a natural one given the musical nature, as that is one of the means by which Krach has best known Wineberg.

“Colin has been one of my music students for a while,” Krach said. “He plays saxophone. He’s a very nice young man who works very hard. I felt bad that anyone would have to go through a situation like his.

“I understand the hardships it can cause on a family, because my mother had to have a liver transplant a while back.”

Krach said that Colin has been an inspiration to many in his school since his diagnosis by the way he has handled it.

“Colin has been a huge inspiration,” he said. “I have never heard him complain or seen him have a bad day.

“He comes to school when a lot of other people, myself included, might stay home and feel sorry for them- selves.”

Krach said the money raised at the event, which will be held tonight at the Walston Club from 7 p.m. to midnight, will go toward helping the family.

Two local bands are set to perform, with 14th Street Jazz Band, an all-style band that has been together for about 10 years, kicking things off.

Krach himself is a member of the leading band.

The second band, Against the Grain, is a rock band that was organized by Punxsutawney resident Brian Rowan.

“Both bands will put on an entertaining show with lots of opportunities to dance, while playing completely different styles of music,” Krach said. “It is truly a one-night only kind of show, with both groups having tons of performing experience.”

There will be no cover charge at the door, but that is where donations to go toward the cause will be taken for the event.

In addition to the door, there will also be a silent auction with “some really cool items, including gift certificates, decorations, and other such things,” Krach said.

Krach wanted to extend thanks to the teachers at the middle school, Brian and Shelley Rowan and “lots of other locals” who have helped by organizing and supporting with donations.

Krach invited everyone to come check out the experience, but he also said if you can’t make it, there are still ways you can help Colin.

"If folks want to help in any other ways, they can contact me, either at the middle school or by calling me at (814) 583-7709," he said.